US11096777B2 - Breast shaping method using barbed suture and suture handling device in breast fat grafting - Google Patents

Abstract

A breast shaping method using a barbed suture and a suture handling device. The breast shaping method includes inserting a tensioning barbed suture in medialmost and lateralmost portion of the inframammary fold from deep soft tissues (muscle/pericondrium-periostium to and along the subdermal layer of the inframammary fold, with an end portion of the barbed suture being left outside of the skin, thereby allowing the barbed suture to be tensioned, tensioning the end portion of the barbed suture arranged by the insertion of the barbed suture, so that the barbed suture pulls tissues of the subdermal layer, thereby lifting the inframammary fold and defining a nice indentation of the inframammary fold, and cutting the end portion of the barbed suture outside of the skin after the tensioning of the barbed suture.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0144744, filed Nov. 21, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to breast shaping for women and, more particularly, to a breast shaping method using a barbed suture and a suture handling device in breast, especially after breast fat grafting, by which a the boundary lines of a breast as well as the lower pole convexity can be more clearly defined also thanks to the edema control and favorable redirection which further enhance lower pole convexity in the postoperative healing time exerted by the positioned threads, so that the breast can be shaped to be more aesthetically pleasant and natural looking as well as it allows to correct breast malformations and asymmetry.

Description of the Related Art

Not only having a beautiful face, but also a slim, busty and harmonic body, may be common interests among women. In particular, the breasts having an attractive volume or shape are regarded as typical body parts representing femininity. Women having a sexy and attractive breast shape may be envied. Moreover, breast malformations (i.e. tuberous breast, Poland syndrome etc) and breast asymmetry represents a serious physical and physiological distress for affected women.

Since there is high interest in the shape or size of breasts, women who have, for example, small, sagging, malformated or asymmetrical breasts may have strong psychological discomfort about their breasts. In this regard, some of women having psychological discomfort due to the shape or size of their breasts may attempt to shape their breasts by surgery.

Breast surgeries may include augmentation or reduction of the size of breasts, improvement of the overall appearance of breasts, and the like. Most breast augmentation surgeries are designed to increase the volumes of the breasts by implanting prostheses made of a silicone material into the breasts. Such surgical procedure includes open surgical dissection through different possible accesses (i.e. inframammary folds, periareoalar, axillary or umbilical) of an appropriate pocket (subglandular, subfascial or submuscolar) in which the breast prostheses is placed, usually conducted under general anesthesia.

However, the prosthesis implantation breast surgery can have short and long-term drawbacks, such as capsular contracture, implant malposition, implant migration, implant rupture and breast tissue sagging on implant over time. Moreover, implant placement will leave a scar.

The information disclosed in the Background of the Invention section is only for the enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or as any form of suggestion that this information forms a prior art that would already be known to a person skilled in the art.

DOCUMENTS OF RELATED ART

• Korean Patent No. 10-1668997 (Dissector for Breast Augmentation Surgery)
• Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0481188 (Endoscopic Retractor for Breast Shaping)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present invention proposes a breast shaping method using barbed sutures, by which a breast shape having a clear contour while being high and elastic can be provided, the drawbacks of implant surgery are avoided, millimetric thus invisible scars are left, and a recovery time can be significantly reduced due to absence of skin dissection, and more particularly, the effect of the surgery is immediate.

It is also provided a barbed suture handling device that can tension and cut a barbed suture in a simple manner and can accurately adjust the tension of the suture, so that the surgery can be more conveniently and precisely conducted.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast shaping method using a barbed suture in breast fat grafting, the method including: after breast fat grafting, inserting a tensioning barbed suture from deep soft tissues (muscle or pericondrium-periostium) into and along a subdermal layer of an existing or new inframammary fold, with an end portion of the barbed suture being left outside of the skin, thereby allowing the barbed suture to be tensioned; tensioning the end portion of the barbed suture arranged by the insertion of the barbed suture, so that the barbed suture pulls tissues of the subdermal layer, thereby lifting and nicely defining an indentation of the inframammary fold; and cutting the end portion of the barbed suture outside of the skin after the tensioning of the barbed suture.

Here, the barbed suture inserting step may include: inserting a first section of the cog thread from the deep soft tissues (the muscle or the pericondrium-periostium) in any one of a medialmost portion and a lateralmost portion of the inframammary fold, with respect to a central portion of the cog thread, to and along the subdermal layer of the inframammary fold, with an end portion of the first section of the cog thread being exposed from the skin; and inserting a second section of the cog thread from the deep soft tissues (the muscle or the pericondrium-periostium) in other one of the medialmost portion and the lateralmost portion of the inframammary fold, with respect to the central portion of the cog thread, to and along the subdermal layer of the inframammary fold, with an end portion of the second section of the cog thread being exposed from the skin.

Furthermore, the barbed suture-tensioning step may include drawing a portion of the cog thread out of the subdermal layer by pulling the end portions of the cog thread exposed out of the skin while pressing the inframammary fold.

In addition, the breast shaping method may further include implanting fat tissues into a breast to increase a volume and improve shape of the breast before the insertion of the barbed suture.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provided is a barbed suture handling device including: a holder gripping and fixing an end portion of a barbed suture; a body supporting the holder; and a cutter disposed on the body to cut the barbed suture gripped by the holder. The barbed suture may be inserted into a subdermal layer of an inframammary fold, with an end portion of the barbed suture being exposed out of the skin.

In addition, the body may be a hollow extension tube accommodating and allowing the barbed suture to pass therethrough, with the holder being provided on a leading end of the extension tube. The holder may include: a rotational keeper rotatably disposed on an end portion of the extension tube via a support pin, one end portion thereof being located inside of the extension tube, and the other end portion of thereof being located outside of the extension tube; and an elastic support elastically supporting the rotational keeper, with one end portion thereof pressing the barbed suture inserted into the extension tube to prevent the barbed suture from slipping from the extension tube.

Furthermore, the rotational keeper may include a pressing portion on the other end portion, the pressing portion being pressed by a user to detach one end portion of the rotational keeper from the barbed suture.

In addition, the barbed suture handling device may further include a tension sensor provided within the extension tube to detect an amount of tension applied to the barbed suture when the holder pulls the extension tube in a position in which the barbed suture is fixed.

Furthermore, the barbed suture handling device may further include a console box disposed on the extension tube, the console box including an output section connected to the tension sensor to output the amount of tension detected by the tension sensor.

In addition, the output section may include a display outputting the amount of tension detected by the tension sensor. The console box may include an on/off switch to turn the display on and off.

Furthermore, the display may be a touchscreen panel allowing an intended value of tension to be input thereon. The console box may further include a lamp that is lit when the tension sensor detects the amount of tension input via the touchscreen panel.

In addition, the extension tube may include an entrance blade on a leading end to cut the barbed suture inserted into the extension tube. The cutter may include an elastic cutter disposed on one portion of the extension tube to be manipulated by a user to guide the barbed suture toward the entrance blade and cut the barbed suture.

Furthermore, the elastic cutter may include: a fixing portion fixed to one portion of the extension tube; a supporting portion provide integrally with the fixing portion, adjoining the extension tube, and having a curved shape; an operating plate provided integrally with the supporting portion, extending in a longitudinal direction, and spread from the extension tube; and a cutting blade provided integrally with an extension end portion of the operating plate, and bent toward the entrance blade. When the operating plate is pressed in a direction of the extension tube, the cutting blade may intersect the entrance blade to cut the barbed suture.

In addition, the extension tube may have a cutter recess supporting the fixing portion of the elastic cutter, such that the fixing portion is detachably fitted into the cutter recess. The elastic cutter may be formed by bending a band-shaped member having a predetermined thickness and width, and may be fitted into the cutter recess to be supported thereby.

Furthermore, the extension tube may be a pair of extension tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1D are views illustrating a breast shaping method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the breast shaping method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a cog thread handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a cog thread handling device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating leading end portions of the extension tube and the elastic cutter illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIGS. 6A to 6D are fragmentary cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the cog thread handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A to 7F are images referring to the present invention, whereFIGS. 7A, 7C and 7E are illustrating a scares control on breast footprint and shape when the present invention is not used, compared toFIGS. 7B, 7D and 7F where the breast shape is controlled and enhanced due to the present invention applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A breast shaping method according to the present invention, which will be described later, includes inserting a barbed suture into the subdermal layer of an inframammary fold (i.e. a boundary between a breast, chest and abdomen) and tensioning the barbed suture inserted into the subdermal layer.

When the inserted barbed suture is tensioned, the tissues of the subdermal layer are pulled by the barbed suture, so that the boundary line of the inframammary fold is clearly defined. When the boundary line is clearly defined, breasts are shaped to be high and busty and thus are attractive and beautiful.

The breast shaping method generally includes: inserting a tensioning barbed suture into a subdermal layer of an inframammary fold, with a portion of the barbed suture being left outside of the skin, thereby allowing the barbed suture to be tensioned and the other portion placed within deeper tissue planes (chest muscles/pericondrium-periosteum); tensioning the barbed suture by pulling the portion of the barbed suture left outside of the skin, so that the inframammary fold is slighted lifted and nicely indented; and cutting the portion left outside of the skin after completion of the tensioning.

The barbed suture is a surgical suture widely used in plastic surgery. The type of the barbed suture may be variously changed depending on the condition of the subdermal tissue and the purpose of the surgery. That is, the term “barbed suture” used herein is a concept collectively including, but not limited to, bidirectional or mono-directional cog thread, mono-thread, cutting thread, and molding thread. In addition, the size, physical property, material, or the like of each thread may variously differ as required.

A breast shaping method and a suture handling device according to exemplary embodiments will be described by exemplifying a case in which a bidirectional cog thread, from among the above-mentioned bidirectional and mono-directional cog threads, is handled. In addition, cogs of the bidirectional cog thread are oriented in opposite directions with respect to a central portion of the cog thread.

FIGS. 1A to 1D are views illustrating a breast shaping method according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the breast shaping method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the breast shaping method according to the embodiment includes afat implantation step100, a cogthread insertion step102, a tensioning step106, and a cuttingstep108.

Thefat implantation step100 is a step of implanting fat into abreast10, which is subjected to surgery since the breast is considered to be relatively small/malformated/asymmetric, as illustrated inFIG. 1A. The fat12 implanted into thebreast10 increases the overall volume of thebreast10. As schematically illustrated inFIG. 1B, the volume of thebreast10 into which the fat12 is implanted is greater than the volume of the non-implanted breast illustrated inFIG. 1A. The fat implantation is conducted by a typical fat implantation method.

The implantation of fat cause soft tissue edema, thereby swelling the breasts. At the end of fat graft procedure, the shaping surgery is conducted. However, when the volume of the breasts is determined to be sufficient already, thefat implantation step100 may be omitted. InFIGS. 1A to 1D,reference numeral13 indicates the inframammary fold. The inframammary fold refers to a line below the breast, i.e. the boundary line between thebreast10 and theupper abdomen11. The inframammary fold is a body portion into which acog thread16 is to be implanted and in which the implantedcog thread16 is to be tensioned.

The subsequent cogthread insertion step102 is a process of inserting the tensioningbidirectional cog thread16 into the subdermal layer of theinframammary fold13. In particular, as illustrated inFIG. 1C, both end portions of thecog thread16 must be exposed from the skin. The use of thread allow to control the position and shape of existing or new inframammary fold by slight lift and creating a nice indentation; moreover the breast footprint (i.e. breast width is controlled); finally the placed threads allow a favourable redirection of postoperative interstitial pressure (edema) toward the lower pole favouring a lower pole convexity thus further improving breast shape.

The cogthread insertion step102 includes afirst insertion procedure102aand asecond insertion procedure102b.

At the beginning of surgery (before fat grafting and before thread placement, the inframammary fold is marked with methylene blue. Thefirst insertion procedure102ais a procedure of inserting about one half of thecog thread16, with respect to acentral portion16aof thecog thread16, first into muscle/pericondrium-periostium of any one of the medialmost and lateralmost portion of the inframammary fold, and then into the subdermal layer along the desired inframammary fold, with an end portion of the half being left outside of the skin to be exposed externally. This insertion is made with a curved sharp eye needle similar to Deshamps needle which is then removed.

Then, one end portion of the cog thread is passed through an eye of a surgical needle (not shown) and this needle is completely passed through the subdermal layer. Since the cog thread is hooked by the eye of the needle, while the needle passes through the subdermal layer, the cog thread is pulled by the needle so as to extend within the subdermal layer. When the needle has completely passed through the subdermal layer of the inframammary fold, the cog thread exits the skin while being hooked by the eye of the needle. Accordingly, the end portion of the cog thread hooked by the eye of the needle is exposed from the skin, with the remaining portion of the cog thread being placed within the subdermal layer.

After the needle has completely passed through the subdermal layer, and then the cog thread is removed from the eye of the needle. Subsequently, thesecond insertion procedure102bis followed.

Thesecond insertion procedure102bis a process of inserting the other half of thecog thread16, with respect to thecentral portion16aof thecog thread16, first into muscle/pericondrium-periostium of the remained one of the medialmost and lateralmost portion of the inframammary fold, and then into the subdermal layer along the desired inframammary fold, with an end portion of the other half being left outside of the skin to be exposed externally.

FIG. 1C illustrates the shape of the breasts after the first andsecond insertion procedures102aand102bare finished. As illustrated inFIG. 1C, thecog threads16 are buried in the inframammary folds13 of bothbreasts10. In particular, thecentral portion16aand both end portions of each of thecog threads16 are exposed from the skin.

The subsequent tensioning step106 is a process of pulling both end portions of each of thecog threads16 in directions indicated by arrows a. Here, both end portions of each of thecog threads16 may be tensioned simultaneously or sequentially one by one. In particular, when the cog thread is tensioned, the surrounding portions of the hole, through which the cog thread is pulled from the skin, must be pressed.

When thecog threads16 are pulled in the directions indicated by the arrows a, cogs of thecog threads16 inserted into the subdermal layer penetrate into the subdermal tissues and pull the subdermal tissues, thereby lifting the inframammary folds13 and the surroundings of the inframammary folds13. The inframammary folds13 and the surroundings thereof are tightened by the cog threads,clear boundary lines14 are shaped, as illustrated inFIG. 1D.

Referring toFIG. 1D, thebreast17 has the shape of a drop of water, with the upper portion being generally flat and slightly concave, and the lower portion being convex. For reference, the breast having the tear-drop shape is fashionable among young women.

When an intended level of lifting is performed by properly tensioning both end portions of thecog thread16, the cuttingstep108 is performed. The cuttingstep108 is a process of cutting the portions of the cog thread left outside of the skin, so that the cog thread is not visually recognized. The portions of the cog thread left in the subdermal layer after the cuttingstep108 gradually dissolve over time.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are images illustrating shapes of breasts before and after a surgery conducted by a related-art breast shaping method, whileFIGS. 7C to 7F are images illustrating shapes of breasts before and after a surgery conducted by the breast shaping method according to an embodiment of the present invention, compared with the breasts conducted by the related-art breast shaping method.

Referring toFIGS. 7A and 7B, it can be appreciated that, in the breasts produced without using the present invention, the inframammary folds were still unclear and the right and left breasts were more asymmetrical. As illustrated inFIG. 7B, the right breast was more sagged than the left breast.

In contrast, it can be appreciated that, in the breasts produced by the breast shaping method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the inframammary folds were changed to be remarkably clear, as illustrated inFIGS. 7D and 7F. Specifically, before the surgery, the breasts were generally flat and the inframammary folds were unclear, as illustrated inFIGS. 7C and 7E. After the surgery, the breasts were reshaped to be higher, better projection and defined shaped including the inframammary folds were clear. In addition, a cog thread handling device is necessary as a tool for performing the shaping method. The cogthread handling device20 according to the present invention includes a thread holder gripping and holding one end of a cog thread; a body supporting the thread holder; and a cutter mounted on the body to cut the cog thread gripped by the thread holder.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a cogthread handling device20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cogthread handling device20 is a device holding and pulling thecog thread16 in the direction indicated by an arrow a inFIG. 1C, and cutting thecog thread16 when thecog thread16 is properly tensioned.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the cogthread handling device20 according to the present embodiment includes a pair ofextension tubes22, aconsole box26, athread holder30, and anelastic cutter24.

First, each of theextension tubes22 has the shape of a hollow tube. As illustrated inFIG. 6B, theextension tube22 accommodates and allows thecog thread16 to pass therethrough. Theextension tube22 is a body portion supporting thethread holder30, which will be described later.

Theextension tube22 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, linearly extends, and has a plurality ofside slots22cin side portions. Theside slots22care holes through which aninner passage22aof theextension tube22 is open sideward. Thecog thread16 introduced into theextension tube22 may protrude out of theextension tube22 through theside slots22c. When the length of thecog thread16 is sufficiently long, thecog thread16 may reach to the rear side of the extension tube by completely passing through thepassage22a. In addition, anentrance blade22b(seeFIG. 5) is provided on the leading end of theextension tube22.

Theextension tubes22 are provided on both sides of theconsole box26 to be spaced apart from each other. Since the twoextension tubes22 are applied, it is possible to simultaneously tension or cut both ends of thecog thread16. The distance between and size of theextension tubes22 may be varied as required.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating leading end portions of theextension tube22 and theelastic cutter24.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, atoothed entrance blade22bis provided in the leading end portion of theextension tube22. Thetoothed entrance blade22bcuts the cog thread16 (inserted in thepassage22a) by working in concert with acutting blade24d, which will be described later. Thecutting blade24dmoves in a direction indicated by an arrow b to cut thecog thread16 by working in concert with theentrance blade22b. Although theentrance blade22bis illustrated as being toothed inFIG. 5, the shape of theentrance blade22bmay be variously changed as long as theentrance blade22bcut thecog thread16.

As illustrated inFIG. 6C, thethread holder30 presses thecog thread16 that has entered theextension tubes22 to prevent thecog thread16 from leaving thepassage22a. Thethread holder30 includes arotational keeper32 and an elastic support.

Therotational keeper32 is maintains a mounted position by means of asupport pin33 while extending through alever hole22e. Therotational keeper32 is a band-shaped member having a predetermined width and thickness, and has ahinge32binto which thesupport pin33 is fitted.

Thesupport pin33 extends through thehinge32b, with both ends thereof being fixed to theextension tube22. Therotational keeper32 may rotate about thesupport pin33 acting as the center of rotation, in a direction indicated by an arrow f illustrated inFIG. 6A or in an opposite direction indicated by an arrow m illustrated inFIG. 6C.

In addition, one end portion, i.e. a lower end portion accommodated in thepassage22a, of therotational keeper32, is athread pressing portion32athat actually presses the cog thread. Thethread pressing portion32aserves to press the cog thread that has entered the inside of theextension tube22, thereby preventing the cog thread from slipping in a direction indicated by an arrow y. Force with which thethread pressing portion32apresses thecog thread16 is transferred from an elastic support, i.e. aleaf spring34.

Apressing portion32cis located on the other end portion of therotational keeper32. Thepressing portion32cis a portion that a user presses with a finger. When thepressing portion32cis pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow f, thethread pressing portion32ais detached from thecog thread16, so that thecog thread16 can be slipped in the direction indicated by the arrow y, as illustrated inFIG. 6C.

In addition, theleaf spring34 is provided below thepressing portion32c. Theleaf spring34 is a band-shaped member having a predetermined level of elasticity. In an elastically defamed state, one end of theleaf spring34 is fixed to thepressing portion32cwhile the other end of theleaf spring34 is fixed to theextension tube22. Theleaf spring34 elastically supports thepressing portion32cin the direction indicated by the arrow m.

In addition, atension sensor36 is disposed inside of theextension tubes22. Thetension sensor36 serves to detect tension applied to thecog thread16 and transfer the detected tension to theconsole box26, which will be described later. In this regard, thetension sensor36 is connected to the console body in a wired or wireless means. Thetension sensor36 will be described later.

Theelastic cutter24 is intended to cut thecog thread16 gripped and tensioned in theextension tube22, and includes a fixingportion24a, a supportingportion24b, an operatingplate24c, and thecutting blade24d. Theelastic cutter24 is elastically deformable. For example, it is possible to push and move thecutting blade24din a direction indicated by an arrow p, as illustrated inFIG. 3. When the pushing force is removed, thecutting blade24dcan be elastically returned to the initial position.

Theelastic cutter24 is fabricated by machining an elastic metal piece having a predetermined width. Theelastic cutter24 is detachably connected to each of theextension tubes22. When theelastic cutter24 is dull, theelastic cutter24 may be replaced with a new elastic cutter.

In addition, each of theextension tubes22 is provided with acutter recess22d, into which theelastic cutter24 can be detachably fitted. Thecutter recess22dis a slit-shaped recess having a predetermined gap, and is open upward and sideward to accommodate and support the fixingportion24a.

The supportingportion24bis a portion integrated with and substantially perpendicularly bent from the fixingportion24a. The supportingportion24bis curved such that the supportingportion24bis spaced farther away from theextension tube22 in the direction of the leading end thereof. Since the supportingportion24bis curved, the supportingportion24bfunctions as a leaf spring. That is, the supportingportion24bfunctions as a leaf spring held in thecutter recess22d.

The operatingplate24cis a portion integrated with and linearly extending from the supportingportion24b. The user presses the operatingplate24cwith a finger so that thecutting blade24dslides in front of theentrance blade22b.

Thecutting blade24dis bent with respect to one end of the operatingplate24c, and is provided with a blade edge on the leading end. As the operatingplate24cis pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow p, thecutting blade24dtouches theentrance blade22bwhile sliding with respect to the end surface of theextension tube22. Then, thecog thread16, accommodated in thepassage22a, is cut by theentrance blade22band thecutting blade24d, as if being cut by scissors.

In addition, theconsole box26 remains situated between bothextension tubes22, thereby maintaining the distance between theextension tubes22. Theconsole box26 is provided with twotouchscreen panels26b,lamps26c, an on/offswitch26d, and a battery (not shown).

Theconsole box26 is connected to thetension sensor36, and displays measurements of the tension sensors on thetouchscreen panels26b. The touchscreen panels are output sections outputting values of tension detected by the tension sensors. Each of the touchscreen panels is allocated to a corresponding one of theextension tubes22. Since the twoextension tubes22 are provided, thetouchscreen panels26bare also two.

Thetouchscreen panels26bmay be used to input information, as well as outputting information. For example, a preferable amount of tension set as required may be input. Here, the preferable amount of tension is determined such that it is not preferable to tension the cog thread with force the same as or greater than the preferable amount of tension. Thetouchscreen panels26ballow a maximum amount of force, with which thecog thread16 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow a, to be set.

In addition, thelamps26care located on sides of thetouchscreen panels26b, respectively. Each of thelamps26cis lit when an amount of tension detected by thetension sensor36 reaches a predetermined amount of tension. The user can adjust the tension on the basis of whether or not thelamps26care lit. Although the present embodiment is configured such that the amount of tension is visually recognizable using thelamps26c, a sound-generating means may be used in place of the lamps.

The on/offswitch26dis a switch with which theconsole box26 is turned on and off. As described above, a power supply is provided inside of theconsole box26, and serves to determine the supply of power from the power supply.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a cog thread handling device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the following, the same reference numerals will be used to designate to components the same as or similar to those of the foregoing embodiment.

The cogthread handling device20 illustrated inFIG. 4 includes asingle extension tube22 and asingle console box26. Although the twoextension tubes22 are provided to tension and cut the twocog threads16 at one time in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, one cog thread is tensioned and cut at one time in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4.

In addition, theconsole box26 is located on the rear end portion of theextension tube22. The functions or roles of respective components of theconsole box26 are the same as those illustrated inFIG. 3. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4, theconsole box26 is fixed to the rear end portion of theextension tube22, and the entirety of the console box can be used as a knob.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are fragmentary cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the cog thread handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate positions in which theextension tube22 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow g and thecog thread16 is inserted into thepassage22a. As illustrated inFIG. 1C, one end portion of thecog thread16 is inserted into theextension tube22 by holding thecog thread16, exposed out of the skin, with one hand and moving theextension tube22 with the other hand.

Here, thethread pressing portion32amust be detached from the bottom by pressing thepressing portion32cwith a finger in the direction indicated by the arrow f. That is, thepassage22amust be opened by pivoting thethread pressing portion32ain the direction indicated by the arrow f so that thecog thread16 enters thepassage22a.

When thecog thread16, inserted into thepassage22aby the above-described process, is long enough, one end portion of thecog thread16 can completely pass through theextension tube22 and protrude from the rear end of theextension tube22. However, when the cog thread is not long enough, one end portion of thecog thread16 is exposed out of theextension tube22 through theside slots22c.

When the leading end portion of theextension tube22, moving in the direction indicated by the arrow g while accommodating thecog thread16, finally reaches theinframammary fold13, the force with which thepressing portion32cis pressed is removed. When thepressing portion32cis released, thepressing portion32cmoves upwards in the direction indicated by the arrow m, in response to the action of theleaf spring34, and thethread pressing portion32afixes thecog thread16 between thethread pressing portion32aand thetension sensor36. Then, thecog thread16 is gripped and fixed between thethread pressing portion32aand thetension sensor36.

When thecog thread16 is fixed to thethread holder30, theextension tube22 is pulled in the direction indicated by an arrow k, as illustrated inFIG. 6C, while theinframammary fold13 is pressed with one hand. When thecog thread16 is tensioned in response to theextension tube22 being pulled, one portion of thecog thread16 slips out of the subdermal layer, and the other portion of thecog thread16 penetrates and locks into the inner tissues of the subdermal layer. At the same time, the other portion of thecog thread16 lifts theinframammary fold13 while pulling the subdermal tissues. As described above, theinframammary fold13 is tightened by the cog thread, thereby shaping theboundary line14.

Here, the tension applied in the direction indicated by the arrow k is detected by thetension sensor36 in real time. Thetension sensor36 transfers detected information to theconsole box26. When the amount of tension of thecog thread16, during pulling of theextension tube22 in the direction indicated by the arrow k, is greater than a preset amount of tension, thelamp26cprovided in the console box is lit, thereby notifying that the amount of tension of thecog thread16 is greater than the preset amount of tension.

When pulling of thecog thread16 is completed through the above-described process, in a position in which thecog thread16 is held with one hand to be tensioned, theextension tube22 is moved toward theinframammary fold13 to be in close contact with the inframammary fold. Subsequently, thecog thread16 is cut by manipulating theelastic cutter24. In this manner, the shaping operation is completed.

The breast shaping method using a barbed suture according to the present invention can provide a breast shape having a clear contour while being high and elastic by tightening the inframammary folds between the breasts and the upper abdomen so as to be more clearly defined. The inframammary fold can be represented by the existing one or, in case of higher native inframammary fold, a new inframammary fold can be designed by the surgeon and the barbed thread used to define the new inframammary fold. Being the thread placed from medialmost and lateralmost end of the inframammary fold, the barbed thread not only highly defined the intended inframammary fold but it allows to control breast footprint as well (i.e. breast width). When combined with breast fat grafting, the thread allows to immediately define breast boundaries (inframammary fold and breast footprint) but it also allows to control postoperative edema, promoting a favourable interstitial pressure redirection toward the inferior pole thus enhancing the lower pole convexity. In addition, the breast shaping method can reduce the burden of a surgery, being scarless (i.e. millimetric scars), and significantly reduce a recovery time due to any skin dissection. In particular, after the surgery, the effect of the surgery is immediate and, in case of breast fat grafting, further improves by postoperative edema resolution.

In addition, the barbed suture handling device according to the present invention can tension and cut a barbed suture in a simple manner and can accurately adjust the tension of the barbed suture, so that the surgery can be more conveniently and precisely conducted.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims (4)

What is claimed is:

1. A breast shaping method using a barbed suture in breast fat grafting, the method comprising:

after breast fat grafting, inserting a tensioning barbed suture from muscle or pericondrium-periostium located beneath any one of a medialmost or a lateralmost portion of an inframammary fold into and along a subdermal layer of the inframammary fold, with an end portion of the barbed suture being left outside of the skin, thereby allowing the barbed suture to be tensioned;

tensioning the end portion of the barbed suture arranged by the insertion of the barbed suture, so that the barbed suture pulls tissues of the subdermal layer, thereby lifting and defining an indentation of the inframammary fold; and

cutting the end portion of the barbed suture outside of the skin after the tensioning of the barbed suture.

2. The breast shaping method according toclaim 1, wherein the insertion of the barbed suture comprises:

inserting a first section of a cog thread from the muscle or the pericondrium-periostium in any one of a medialmost portion and a lateralmost portion of the inframammary fold, with respect to a central portion of the cog thread, to and along the subdermal layer of the inframammary fold, with an end portion of the first section of the cog thread being exposed from the skin; and

inserting a second section of the cog thread from the muscle or the pericondrium-periostium in other one of the medialmost portion and the lateralmost portion of the inframammary fold, with respect to the central portion of the cog thread, to and along the subdermal layer of the inframammary fold, with an end portion of the second section of the cog thread being exposed from the skin.

3. The breast shaping method according toclaim 2, wherein the tensioning of the barbed suture comprises drawing a portion of the cog thread out of the subdermal layer by pulling the end portions of the cog thread exposed out of the skin while pressing the inframammary fold.

4. The breast shaping method according toclaim 1, further comprising implanting fat tissues into a breast to increase a volume and improve shape of the breast before the insertion of the barbed suture.

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